Shark mesh bracelets..?

[yeti]

What do we think, for a diver of course!

My Fifty Fathoms will be getting a bit smelly on it's sailcloth strap by the end of the summer and on honeymoon in Thailand. Don't want to lay out a grand plus on the Blancpain bracelet, I don't like the look on the watch.

It's got a 23mm lug width, is there generally a bit of play in the ends of the shark mesh bracelet as I'd have to go for a 24mm size? Some ads claim there is...

Recommended sellers on eBay or are they all much of a muchness?

Think the Breitling SO Heritage and Omega Ploprof look superb on their mesh bracelets, I want a bit of that

[TheJimi]

The seller WJean on eBay seems to be highly recommended for shark mesh.

[Mr_C]

Put another sailcloth on it.

The FF is one of the finest looking watches I've ever seen, the sailcloth really sets it off well.

[yeti]

I agree, looks great on sailcloth as conceived... But I want something practical to make it more useable on a water-focussed honeymoon.

Mesh seems be about 40-60 quid, a BP sailcloth will be a couple of hundred, just to get trashed.

So will a 24mm mesh fit a 23mm lug width..?

[sparkyhx]

yes there is play in the ends - can't comment on whether it is enough, but 1mm is pretty small

[chris56]

Yeti, please post up how you get on with this as I have the FF annual calendar and would like put a shark mesh strap on it it works.

[yeti]

chris56 said:

Yeti, please post up how you get on with this as I have the FF annual calendar and would like put a shark mesh strap on it it works.

Will do. I'm not expecting it back from Swatch in Eastleigh until around the end of October, had a bit of a bezel issue that's being sorted.

Pics of the calendar please

[chris56]

As requested (the strap on it in the photo is a black Blancpain waterproof Louisiana Alligator strap, I also have the blue sailcloth one and the black rubber divers one)

[yeti]

chris56 said:

As requested (the strap on it in the photo is a black Blancpain waterproof Louisiana Alligator strap, I also have the blue sailcloth one and the black rubber divers one)

Absolutely fantastic! As a complete calendar, is it easy to set? I don't want a watchwinder particularly... And does it lose its WR rating for the calendar pushers?

Also strap change; do you have the massive toolset from BP or did you just use a hex key? 0.9mm?

[chris56]

yeti said:

Absolutely fantastic! As a complete calendar, is it easy to set? I don't want a watchwinder particularly... And does it lose its WR rating for the calendar pushers?

Also strap change; do you have the massive toolset from BP or did you just use a hex key? 0.9mm?

Yes it is easy to set as all the calendar settings are set with little pushers behind the case which you can push with your finger nail. and no you do not lose the WR - it is still rated at 300m and you can use the chronograph pushers underwater.
I bought the massive toolkit from Blancpain which was expensive but it comes with a lots of spare strap spindles and screws.

[yeti]

chris56 said:

I bought the massive toolkit from Blancpain which was expensive but it comes with a lots of spare strap spindles and screws.

If you're around London... could I borrow it? Cheeky I know

[chris56]

yeti said:

If you're around London... could I borrow it? Cheeky I know

I am around London but would not be happy to lend it out. I bought the set plus alligator strap from the New York Blancpain boutique and it cost me ~$1200.
The assistant in the boutique was very helpful and showed me how to use it plus gave me a few tips on issues you may or may not encounter.
Having said that, I found that it is just as easy to lay the watch down on a flat soft surface and use the appropriate size hex keys. Tip 1 - the spindles can often stick in the shoulder lugs - patience and a wooden toothpick will set them free. Tip 2. Be careful when tightening the screws back into the spindles - a common mistake is to overtighten them which strips the threads and you then have to drill them out.